Bruins clinch playoff spot on Thompson’s OT goal

PROVIDENCE 4, MANCHESTER 3 (OT)After sitting atop the AHL standings nearly all season, the Providence Bruins became the first team to punch their ticket to the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday with a 4-3 overtime victory at Manchester.

Ryan Murphy netted the Devils’ lone goal at 15:37 of the first period.

BINGHAMTON 1, ALBANY 0 (SO) After a scoreless regulation by both sides, Niko Dimitrakos and Alexander Nikulin tallied shootout goals to give Binghamton a 1-0 win over visiting Albany at the Broome County Arena.

Senators goaltender Brian Elliott earned the shutout, stopping all 36 shots through regulation and overtime, and going 4-for-4 in the shootout.

Despite the shootout defeat, Albany netminder Michael Leighton also received credit for a shutout, his sixth of the campaign and first since Dec. 7.

Leighton made 29 saves and moved to 6-0-2 with a 0.97 GAA in eight games against Binghamton this season.

HERSHEY 5, PHILADELPHIA 3 A three-goal second period sent Hershey on its way to a 5-3 victory over Philadelphia before 10,231 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum.

After the Bears’ Scott Barney tied the score 7:29 into the second, Alexandre Giroux netted a pair of goals to give Hershey the lead for good. Giroux added two helpes for a four-point night.

The teams traded goals in the late stages of the third period to account for the final margin. Bears goaltender Frederic Cassivi made 28 saves in the victory.

The Bears concluded a nine-game road swing at 3-6-0-0 and will return to Giant Center to host Manitoba on Saturday and Sunday.

NORFOLK 4, PORTLAND 3 Rob Klinkhammer and Adam Henrich posted a goal and an assist apiece, and Norfolk held on for a 4-3 win over visiting Portland at the Scope.

After the teams traded first-period goals, the Admirals received goals in the middle stanza from former Pirate Brandon Segal, Klinkhammer, and Henrich.

Portland’s Jason King and Andrew Ebbett scored in the third period to make it 4-3, but the Pirates were unable to get the equalizer.

Admirals goaltender Marc Denis backstopped the win with 43 saves on 46 shots. Portland held a 46-21 advantage in shots, including 24-8 in the third period alone.

The Pirates and Admirals will square off for a rematch on Saturday night.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON 4, BRIDGEPORT 1 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the 3:40 mark of the second period and cruised to its sixth straight win, a 4-1 decision over Bridgeport at the Arena at Harbor Yard.